From giant stable to spacious living and working place

Converted farmhouse, Friesland

The conversion of a Frisian stolpboerderij (specific type of farm house) shows the great potential of this type of buildings. For a private client, the huge stable was transformed into a generous living and working place. The front part of the house and the former milk basement now consist of two apartments for rental.

Within a spatial set-up, the new functions have been located in a stack of white boxes. This intervention ensures that the characteristic roof remains intact and that the original truss construction is fully visible in all its splendor, while the ‘room with a view’ lets in plenty of daylight.

Jelle de Jong has proceeded with professional diligence and an eye for detail, such as the sliding doors with aluminum shutters. It is barely visible from the outside that part of the facade has been replaced, allowing occupants of the house to use the interspace as additional outdoor space. All in all a clever interpretation of the societal task to give vacant, monumental farm houses a new destination.